Third Time a Charm as South Korea Launches First Satellite

After two previous failures, South Korea successfully launched their rocket placing a satellite into orbit. The Korean Space Launch Vehicle (KSLV-1), known as Naro-1, a two-stage rocket, took off at 4 p.m. local time (2 a.m. eastern).

The Naro-1 wasn't an all South Korean effort as the first stage was built and supplied by Russian while the second stage and satellite were produced by South Korea's own Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) which oversees space activities in South Korea.

South Korean joins the growing ranks of countries which now have the capability to launch payloads into orbit.

The first two failed launches of KSLV-1 took place in 2009 and 2010, respectively.

After two previous failures, South Korea successfully launched their rocket placing a satellite into orbit. The Korean Space Launch Vehicle (KSLV-1), known as Naro-1, a two-stage rocket, took off at 4 p.m. local time (2 a.m. eastern).